Herald of the March (Cavalier/Bard)

With new battlefield technologies being developed every day, relaying commands to one’s troops has become an arduous task. The fog of war from discharged firearms obscure signal flags, while the blast of cannons and clashing of steel drown out even the loudest voice. Thus enters the herald of the march. With his trusty fife or drum, the herald of the march relays orders from his superiors to his comrades by using specific cadences of his instrument. Not only can the herald of the march induce a surge of energy in the average soldier, his music can rally the troops and bring them back to full fighting speed, often turning the tide of an otherwise lost battle. (Original Concept by mrtaco6)

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The herald of the march may select three bard skills to add to his class skills, in addition to the normal cavalier class skills, one of which must be Perform. The herald of the march gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 4 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The herald of the march is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with light armor, medium armor, and with shields.

Battle March (Ex): At 1st level, a herald of the march land speed is faster than the norm for her race by +5 feet. This improves by +5 feet at 5th level and every four levels thereafter (9th, 13th, and 17th) to a maximum of +25 feet. This benefit applies only when he is wearing no armor, light armor, or medium armor, and not carrying a heavy load. Apply this bonus before modifying the herald of the march's speed because of any load carried or armor worn. This bonus stacks with any other bonuses to the herald of march’s land speed. If the herald of the march is mounted, he loses this bonus to his land speed. However, the distance a herald of the march can travel each day while mounted increases by 20%. This ability and mount replace the cavalier’s normal mount ability.

Fife and Drum: At 1st level, a herald of the march begins play with a masterwork instrument of his choice. This instrument serves as both a symbol and rallying point on the battlefield. This instrument must be a percussion or wind instrument, but is not made of any special material. Whenever the herald of march uses this instrument, her gains a +2 bonus on all Diplomacy and Intimidate skill checks for a number of rounds following its most recent use equal to his Charisma modifier. If a herald of the march uses a different instrument, he does not gain this bonus. If the instrument is lost or destroyed, it can be replaced at a cost of 50 gp per herald of the march level plus the cost of the masterwork item.

In addition, the herald of the march gains the bard’s bardic performance ability, except that it can only be used with the Perform (percussion) or Perform (wind instruments) skills.

The herald of the march gains the following bardic performances.

Demoralize (Ex): At 1st level, a herald of the march can spend 3 continuous rounds of performance to fill his enemies with self-doubt. After 3 rounds, all enemy with 30 feet of the herald of the march must make a Will save (DC 10 + 1/ the herald of the march’s level + the herald of the march’s Charisma modifier). Each creature to be demoralized must be within 60 feet, able to see and hear the herald of the march, and capable of paying attention to him. The herald of the march must also be able to see the creatures affected. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the herald of the march cannot attempt to demoralize that creature in this way again for 24 hours. Any creature that fails its save becomes shaken for 1 minute per herald of the march level. Allies and creatures without an Intelligence score are unaffected. For every 2 additional rounds of performance the herald of the march expends, the radius of this performance increases by 5 feet and the save DC increases by 1. Demoralize relies on audible components. This performance and fife and drum replace tactician.

Inspire Courage (Ex): At 1st level, a herald of the march gains the inspire courage bardic performance. This performance replaces challenge 2/day.

Inspire Competence (Ex): At 3rd level, a herald of the march gains the inspire courage bardic performance. This performance replaces expert trainer.

Song of Marching (Ex): At 3rd level, a herald of the march can use his performance to inspire his allies to move faster without suffering from fatigue. By expending 1 round of fife and drum, the herald of the march invigorates allies within 60 feet, who may hustle for the next hour; this movement counts as a walk (not a hustle) for the purpose of accruing nonlethal damage and fatigue. The herald of the march must continue to perform the song for the remainder of the hour, otherwise its effects end, but only 1 round of fife and drum is expended for that hour. This performance replaces cavalier’s charge.

Song of Surrender (Su): At 6th level, a herald of the march can use his performance to encourage an enemy to surrender already demoralized by his performance. Using this ability does not disrupt the demoralize effect, but it does require a standard action to activate (in addition to the free action to continue the demoralize effect). To be affected, an enemy must be within 30 feet and be able to see and hear the herald of the march’s performance. An affected enemy feels the irresistible urge to drop any held weapons and fall prone. This effect lasts for 1 round—essentially, the affected enemy takes no actions on its next turn other than to lie-prone, although it is not considered flat-footed or helpless. A Will saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 the herald of the march’s level + the herald of the march’s Charisma modifier) negates the effect. This ability affects only a single creature. Song of surrender is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting, language-dependent ability and relies on audible components. This performance replaces challenge 4/day.

Dirge of Doom (Su): At 9th level, a herald of the march gains the dirge of doom bardic performance. This performance replaces greater tactician.

Inspire Greatness (Su): At 11th level, a herald of the march gains the inspire greatness bardic performance. This performance replaces mighty charge.

Inspire Heroics (Su): At 16th level, a herald of the march gains the inspire heroics bardic performance. This performance replaces challenge 6/day.

Irresistible Dance (Su): At 17th level, a herald of the march can use his performance to subject one creature to an irresistible dance spell. This effect makes it impossible for the creature to do anything other than caper and prance in place and imposes a –4 penalty to Armor Class and –10 penalty on Reflex saves, as well as negating any Armor Class bonus granted by a shield the target holds. The dancing creature provokes attacks of opportunity each round on its turn. A successful Will save negates reduces this effect to 1 round. For each round this performance is maintained, the herald of the march must expend two rounds of performance. This performance replaces master tactician.

Supreme Cadence (Su): At 20th level, a herald of the march’s can use his performance to break solid rock. As a full-round action that expends six rounds of performance, the herald of the march can use his performance to create a tremor identical to an earthquake spell. Each time the herald of the march uses this performance, he must expend an additional six rounds of performance. This performance replaces supreme charge.

Order: This is exactly like the cavalier ability of the same name, except that the herald of the march may also choose from the new Order of the Drum or the Order of the Fife.

Challenge (Ex): This is exactly like the cavalier ability of the same name, except that the herald of the march can make a challenge once per day at 4t level, and every size levels thereafter.

Mount (Ex): This is exactly like the cavalier’s mount ability, except that the herald of the march’s druid level for the purpose of determining his mount is equal to his herald of the march level –3.

Banner (Ex): This is exactly like the cavalier ability of the same name, except that the herald of the march can use his percussion or wind instrument as his banner. As long as the herald of the march’s instrument is clearly visible and being played (even without the use of the fife and drum ability), all allies within 60 feet receive the benefits of this ability.

Bonus Feat: This is exactly like the cavalier ability of the same name, except that the herald of the march can select bonus feats from those listed as combat feats and performance feats.